Iron County register., 1887-05-19

oerland and their former foes upon the battle
neld, and while the Union General and the
peoples President awaited burial the common
grief OF these magnanimous soldiers and mourn
ing citizens found expression in the determine
ton to erect this tribute to American great
ness; and thus to-day, in its symmetry and
beauty, it presents a sign OF anmosities forgot
ten, an emblem Of brotherhood redeemed and
token OF q Nation restored.
Monuments and statues multiply throughout
the land. fttingly illustrative of the love and
affection of our grateful people, and commem-
Grating brave and patriotic sacrifices in war,
fame in peaceful pursuit, or honor in public
station. But from this day forth there shall
stand at our seat of Government this statue Of
distinguished citizen who in his life and ser.
vices combined all these things, and moro
which challenge admiration IN American charac-
ter. Loving tenderness in every domestic rela-
ton; bravery on the field of battle; fame ana
distinction in our halls of legislation, and tho
highest honor and dignity in the chief magis-
tracy of the Nation. This stately efhgy shall
not fail to teach every beholder that the source
Of American greatness is confined to no condi-
ton, nor dependent alone for its growth and
development upon favorable surroundings.
The genius of our National life beckons to use.
fulness and honor those in every sphere, and
offers the highest preferment to manly ambi.
tion and sturdy, honest effort, chastened and
consecrated by patriotic hopes and aspirations.
AS long as this statue stands, let it be proud
the way is open to fame and station until he
Moving up from high to higher,
Becomes on fortunes crowning slope
The pillar OF a peoples hope,
The center of worlds DESIRE"
Nor can we forget that II also teaches our
people sad and distressing lesson; and the
thoughtful citizen who views its fair proper.
tions can not fail to recall the tragedy of q
death which brought grief and mourning to
every household in the land. But while Amer.
lean citizenship stands aghast and affrighted
that murder and assassination should
lurk in the midst of free people, and strike
down the head of their Government, a fear
less search and the discovery Of the origin and
hidden place of these hateful and unnatural
things should be followed by a solemn resolve
to purge forever from our political methods,
and from the operation Of our Government, the
perverslcns and misconceptions which give
birth to passionate and bloody thoughts.
II from this hour our admiration for tho
bravery and nobility Of American manhood,
and our faith in the possibilities and opportuni-
ties OF American citizenship, be renewed; il our
appreciation Of the blessing of a restored I'm
ion and love for our Government be strength
ened; and if our watchfulness against the dam
gers of mad chase after partisan spoils be
Quiczened, the dedication of this statue to the
people of the United States will not be In vain.
When the President had concluded,
Hail Columbia" was rendered, and the
cuucu WAlA lA0 pouCulS0Aohs
THE STATUE.
The statue is regarded by its sculptos,
Mr.. J. O. A. Ward, as one of his most sue
cessful achievements. Its position is q
commanding one The small circle at the
intersection of First street and Maryland
and Pennsylvania avenues is directly at
the foot of the Capitol grounds, and the
statue is to be seen to fair advantage
from the Capitol and surrounding
grounds, and. from the intersecting
streets. The statue rises thirty feet into
the air, and surmounts broad and shape
ly granite base and graceful pedestal.
Three sides of the shaft are inscribed As
follows:
SOUTHWEST FACE:
''James A. Garfield, 1S31-1SS1."
SOUTHEAST FACE:
"Major-General U. S. ", Member OF Congress,
Senator and President of the United
States of America"
NORTH FACE:
Erected by his Comrades of the Society Of
the Army of the Cumberland,
May 12, 1887
Surrounding the base of the pede stal,
which is nearly twenty feet in height, are
three life-size recumbent figures Of
bronze, representing ''W isdom," '.Force"
and 'sPatrlotism."
The figure is ten feet six inches in
height and weighs five thousand pounds.